FIAT 500

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Model Overview

Small and ideal for driving through tight, urban roads, the Fiat 500 comes with plenty of character and Italian charm. Aimed against the Mini Hardtop, the Fiat 500 can be customized extensively with a range of exterior colors and accessories for the interior and exterior.

History

Fiat introduced the original 500 in 1957 as an affordable city car for the masses with seating for four and a small footprint. Some of its key features included a retractable canvas roof and rear-hinged “suicide doors.” Later on, additional variants appeared including a wagon called the 500K and sporty variants tuned by Karl Abarth, the founder of Abarth, Fiat’s performance arm.

Introduced for the European market in 2007, the Fiat 500 revived one of Fiat’s most iconic nameplates. Like the car that inspired its design, the modern Fiat 500 is a city car and it comes with plenty of retro design cues such as the round headlights and fog lights, the mustache grille, and squared off taillights. Along with the standard hatchback, there’s also the 500c, a convertible variant with a retractable soft top roof. The 500 arrived in the U.S. for the 2012 model year when the Fiat brand made its return to the North American market. In addition to the standard 500 hatch and the 500c convertible, there’s also the 500 Turbo, the performance-oriented 500 Abarth, which features a 160-hp 1.4-liter turbo-four and the all-electric 500e.

The Latest Generation

For the 2017 model year, the Fiat 500’s Turbo model has been discontinued. Trim levels have also been reduced and consolidated so that each variant offers more standard equipment. To expanded the appeal of the 500 Abarth, Fiat added a six-speed automatic transmission option in addition to the standard five-speed manual in 2015. Additionally, a digital display replaced the old analog gauge cluster. FCA’s UConnect multimedia interface with a five-inch touchscreen was added to the 500 lineup for the 2016 model year and it can be had with navigation. Special-edition variants such as the 500 1957 Edition are also offered.

Why You’d Consider One

Although it’s already a decade old, the Fiat 500’s retro-inspired exterior design still looks modern. Should you also want a good dose of performance to go with your quirky little city car, the turbocharged 500 Abarth should give you plenty of smiles from behind the wheel when you escape the city and find winding mountain roads.

Why You’d Look Elsewhere

Even though it’s bubbly and cute, the Fiat 500 isn’t the most practical subcompact hatchback around due to its small rear seats and limited cargo space. Additionally, the Fiat 500c’s convertible roof may look like an oversized sunroof to some as the car’s pillars are not part of the retracting soft top.